Before Networking: Preparation Is Key

The #1 question I get is:
“Jill, I don’t know what to ask in a coffee chat.”
Totally fair — and here’s how I recommend preparing.

3 Angles to Prepare From:

1. Know the Person

• Start with their LinkedIn profile to understand their background.

• If applicable, check for personal websites, GitHub, YouTube, or published work.

• A quick Google search can uncover additional insights — and yes, they’ll notice that you came prepared.

2. Research Their Industry

• Scan news, blogs, or trends related to their field or company.

• A basic understanding of their work helps you ask smarter, more relevant questions — and builds instant credibility.

3. Prepare to Talk About Yourself

• Keep your intro to 2–3 minutes. Focus on highlights relevant to their space.

• Build a mental “basket” of qualifications: certifications, side projects, transferrable skills.

• You won’t share everything — just what feels aligned during the conversation.

✅ Pro Tip: The more you know about the other person and their context, the more value you’ll get from the chat — It shows genuine interest, respects the other person’s time, and sets you up for a much more focused and useful conversation..

💬 Not Sure What to Ask? Start Here

Here’s a cheat sheet of smart, open-ended questions that work well in almost any conversation:

• What led you to your current role?

• What does success look like in your team?

• What’s one thing you wish more people understood about this field?

• If you were starting over, what would you do differently in your career?

• What’s been the most exciting or challenging project you’ve worked on?

These questions help spark authentic dialogue and make the other person feel heard.

During Networking: Keep the Engagement Going

This is the fun part 😄! Here’s how to integrate your preparation into a real conversation.

1. Show Genuine Interest

• Lead with curiosity. Ask questions that focus on them, not just your goals.

• Try questions like “What do you enjoy most about your job?”

• This signals that you value their experiences — and that you’re not just here to pitch yourself.

2. Practice Active Listening

• Yes, listening is 80% of a great networking session.

• Take notes and pay attention to details: tone, word choice, body language, and even their energy when discussing certain topics.

• These cues often reveal areas you can ask deeper follow-up questions about.

3. Share a Prepared, Relevant Response

• When it’s your turn to talk (roughly 20% of the time), make it count.

• Highlight 2–3 things that match the career you’re exploring.

• Make them think: “They really get this space — they’d be great here.”

🎯 The goal isn’t to just sell yourself — it’s to connect, align, and plant a seed for future opportunities.

😬 Nervous to Reach Out? You’re Not Alone.

If you’re holding back from initiating networking chats, here’s some encouragement:

Common Objections — and Reframes:

• “I don’t want to bother them.”
  → Most people love sharing their career journey — especially when approached respectfully.

• “I’m not confident in what to say.”
  → That’s okay! Curiosity, preparation, and listening will take you further than perfect phrasing.

• “What if they ignore me?”
  → It’s not personal. It just means move on to someone else. One ‘yes’ is all you need.

After Networking: Send a Thoughtful Follow-Up

If the conversation went well, this part is simple — but important.

Before wrapping up, ask:

Then, within 24 hours, send a thank-you message. Mention something specific they said and express appreciation. If you’d like to stay connected, let them know you’ll reach out again in a couple of months.

Second Touchpoint: 2–3 Month Follow-Up

This is where your relationship really grows. When you reconnect, share meaningful updates:

• A side project you completed

• A new course or certification

• A key insight from someone else you met in the field

It shows commitment and helps you stay top of mind when opportunities arise.